Lionel Messi heat map during the World Cup semi-final (Source: OPTA)
By Ed Valentine and Robbie Butler
With the World Cup Final little over 24 hours away, German coach Joachim Loew must be very much focused on how to stop Lionel Messi. Arguably the world’s best player for the past five years, the little Argentinian carries the hope of a nation on his shoulders in Rio De Janerio tomorrow. Stopping Messi will surely be central to a German victory and the European nation must be devising a plan to prevent the Barcelona man from exerting his usual influence over the game.
A closer look at Messi’s movements (when on the ball) against the Dutch in the semi-final might give the Germans food for thought. Amazingly, the Argentina captain didn’t touch the ball once in the Dutch penalty area for the entire 120 minutes of football! No doubt Manuel Neuer will hope Messi stays just as far away from the German goal during tomorrow’s final.
With the World Cup Final little over 24 hours away, German coach Joachim Loew must be very much focused on how to stop Lionel Messi. Arguably the world’s best player for the past five years, the little Argentinian carries the hope of a nation on his shoulders in Rio De Janerio tomorrow. Stopping Messi will surely be central to a German victory and the European nation must be devising a plan to prevent the Barcelona man from exerting his usual influence over the game.
A closer look at Messi’s movements (when on the ball) against the Dutch in the semi-final might give the Germans food for thought. Amazingly, the Argentina captain didn’t touch the ball once in the Dutch penalty area for the entire 120 minutes of football! No doubt Manuel Neuer will hope Messi stays just as far away from the German goal during tomorrow’s final.
RSS Feed
